A Tsali-style trail that hugs the contours of the land. Good line of sight. Beautiful hardwood forests. Great views of the lake and a small stream. The one mile Hicks Creek Loop is optional. There's also a fire trail road that provides a bail out that is about 2.75 miles down the trail. Excellent trail design and construction.

User Reviews (9)

Showing 1-9 of 9

Herb Cross Country Rider [Sep 25, 2013]

One of the funnest, fastest, most flowing trails I have ridden. It is short, but can be connected with other loops, or ridden several times. There is plenty here to keep you entertained. I never get tired of it.

Similar Products Used: Some great singletrack up by a reseroir to the north. This area is covered with trails as you head towards the mountains.

OVERALLRATING

4

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

2

★★★★★

★★★★★

Herb Cross Country Rider

[Sep 25, 2013]

One of the funnest, fastest, most flowing trails I have ridden. It is short, but can be connected with other loops, or ridden several times. There is plenty here to keep you entertained. I never get tired of it.

Similar Products Used:
Some great singletrack up by a reseroir to the north. This area is covered with trails as you head towards the mountains.

OVERALLRATING

4

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

2

★★★★★

★★★★★

Nuker Cross Country Rider [Mar 25, 2010]

Total trail length approximately 17.x miles. This trail has evolved over a number of years and has provided, in my opinion, an opportunity for many people to ease their way into mtn biking. In addition, it has provided more experienced riders with a fantastic aerobic training ground. The trail is considered by most to be non-technical. It is beautifully designed and has excellent riding flow. The park is very protective, as they should be, about riding conditions and it is advisable to contact the park prior to your visit to ensure the trail system is open, especially following rain. At 17.x miles per lap, this trail provides a great aerobic base for those that look for spaces to ride without doing multiple laps. Youâ€™ll find a sizeable number of single-speed riders on this trail. The scenery is great and there is ample parking. There are neither bike cleaning stations nor change room, but there is a porta-facility. In my opinion, it is worth a trip to this trail system, even if you takes you a couple of hours to get to it.

OVERALLRATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

4

★★★★★

★★★★★

Nuker Cross Country Rider

[Mar 25, 2010]

Total trail length approximately 17.x miles. This trail has evolved over a number of years and has provided, in my opinion, an opportunity for many people to ease their way into mtn biking. In addition, it has provided more experienced riders with a fantastic aerobic training ground. The trail is considered by most to be non-technical. It is beautifully designed and has excellent riding flow. The park is very protective, as they should be, about riding conditions and it is advisable to contact the park prior to your visit to ensure the trail system is open, especially following rain. At 17.x miles per lap, this trail provides a great aerobic base for those that look for spaces to ride without doing multiple laps. Youâ€™ll find a sizeable number of single-speed riders on this trail. The scenery is great and there is ample parking. There are neither bike cleaning stations nor change room, but there is a porta-facility. In my opinion, it is worth a trip to this trail system, even if you takes you a couple of hours to get to it.

OVERALLRATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

4

★★★★★

★★★★★

First Flight Weekend Warrior [Nov 12, 2008]

Currently, 13 miles with another phase to begin construction in fall of 2008. The Itusi is a trail that you can enjoy with the kids and take in the scenery or put your head down and go for speed.

OVERALLRATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

3

★★★★★

★★★★★

First Flight Weekend Warrior

[Nov 12, 2008]

Currently, 13 miles with another phase to begin construction in fall of 2008. The Itusi is a trail that you can enjoy with the kids and take in the scenery or put your head down and go for speed.

OVERALLRATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

3

★★★★★

★★★★★

Mark Weekend Warrior [Aug 09, 2006]

This was the first time mt. biking and I am now hooked! Went with an experienced rider and for the first trip ever, I had a fantastic time! I like the one way traffic and the ease to allow people to pass. It was a great aerobic workout! All ages were on the trail.

OVERALLRATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

2

★★★★★

★★★★★

Mark Weekend Warrior

[Aug 09, 2006]

This was the first time mt. biking and I am now hooked! Went with an experienced rider and for the first trip ever, I had a fantastic time! I like the one way traffic and the ease to allow people to pass. It was a great aerobic workout! All ages were on the trail.

OVERALLRATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

2

★★★★★

★★★★★

KingKona Cross Country Rider [Nov 26, 2005]

Trail is in excellent shape with especially with the lack of rain and the excellent trail work that has been done. The trails themselves are failry wide for single track and very smooth with very little rocks and roots. This trail would be great for newcomers to MTB and kids. Overall it was fun to blast through the woods without having to negotiate technical sections.

Customer Service

Phases 1 and 2.

Similar Products Used: Beech Springs, N Meck Part, Renni.

OVERALLRATING

4

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

2

★★★★★

★★★★★

KingKona Cross Country Rider

[Nov 26, 2005]

Trail is in excellent shape with especially with the lack of rain and the excellent trail work that has been done. The trails themselves are failry wide for single track and very smooth with very little rocks and roots. This trail would be great for newcomers to MTB and kids. Overall it was fun to blast through the woods without having to negotiate technical sections.

Customer Service: Phases 1 and 2.

Similar Products Used:
Beech Springs, N Meck Part, Renni.

OVERALLRATING

4

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

2

★★★★★

★★★★★

Cherokee Weekend Warrior [Jul 26, 2004]

The 2nd addition is now open--total length now 6.7 miles, with plans to make it 10+ miles. This trail will not technically challenge anybody, but it is an absolute blast to ride. Very fast, some banked turns, beautiful up and down trail, feels like the mountains, but no long hills to climb. Three opportunities to bail out and shorten the ride (but who would want to?). Many thanks to the Tarheel Trailblazers for their work to build and maintain this trail.

The 2nd addition is now open--total length now 6.7 miles, with plans to make it 10+ miles. This trail will not technically challenge anybody, but it is an absolute blast to ride. Very fast, some banked turns, beautiful up and down trail, feels like the mountains, but no long hills to climb. Three opportunities to bail out and shorten the ride (but who would want to?). Many thanks to the Tarheel Trailblazers for their work to build and maintain this trail.

Very smooth, non-technical trail. Fast, flowing. It would benefit from some technical options, but is an excellent place to take the family. ANYONE can ride this trail. I've seen people with bike trailers and recumbants on this trail, so that gives you an idea of how non-technical it is. Not a root, rock or log on the trail....
That being said, it is an ok workout if you ride it fast for several laps. It would be a great place for a race.
It is a really well laid-out trail, with potential for future expansions. The scenery is beautiful and the park staff is friendly. Be sure you check their website to make sure the trail is open, since they close it after any rain and after dark (no night riding).
My only complaint is the total lack of technical difficulty, but that's just my personal preference.

Customer Service

One-way, follow the map at the trailhead.

Similar Products Used: Poplar Tent, Catawba, Renaissance

OVERALLRATING

2

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

2

★★★★★

★★★★★

Cross Country Rider

[Nov 16, 2003]

Very smooth, non-technical trail. Fast, flowing. It would benefit from some technical options, but is an excellent place to take the family. ANYONE can ride this trail. I've seen people with bike trailers and recumbants on this trail, so that gives you an idea of how non-technical it is. Not a root, rock or log on the trail....
That being said, it is an ok workout if you ride it fast for several laps. It would be a great place for a race.
It is a really well laid-out trail, with potential for future expansions. The scenery is beautiful and the park staff is friendly. Be sure you check their website to make sure the trail is open, since they close it after any rain and after dark (no night riding).
My only complaint is the total lack of technical difficulty, but that's just my personal preference.

Customer Service: One-way, follow the map at the trailhead.

Similar Products Used:
Poplar Tent, Catawba, Renaissance

OVERALLRATING

2

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

2

★★★★★

★★★★★

dirtboy Cross Country Rider [Sep 18, 2003]

Rode this trail last Sunday. It is fast and flows very well. You can really fly through parts of it. Unlike most new trails that I've ridden, this one is already packed, has no roots or stubs. No major climbs. If this expands to 12 miles as planned, this place is going to be a very popular spot. Also, Lake Norman State park is very nice. They have really nice camping facilities w/TONS of firewood. Go there and you will see what I mean. Also the rangers seem cool and pro-biker, although I doubt they will tolerate Tsali style campground partying.

Customer Service

One way route

Similar Products Used: Poppy Tent is not too far away

OVERALLRATING

4

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

3

★★★★★

★★★★★

dirtboy Cross Country Rider

[Sep 18, 2003]

Rode this trail last Sunday. It is fast and flows very well. You can really fly through parts of it. Unlike most new trails that I've ridden, this one is already packed, has no roots or stubs. No major climbs. If this expands to 12 miles as planned, this place is going to be a very popular spot. Also, Lake Norman State park is very nice. They have really nice camping facilities w/TONS of firewood. Go there and you will see what I mean. Also the rangers seem cool and pro-biker, although I doubt they will tolerate Tsali style campground partying.

Customer Service: One way route

Similar Products Used:
Poppy Tent is not too far away

OVERALLRATING

4

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

3

★★★★★

★★★★★

Lever2000 Cross Country Rider [Sep 09, 2003]

The new Itusi trail at lake norman is a very clean trail. Hardly any roots (because it is new), and it's an excellent singletrack ride. I rode a hardtail on one occasion and a full suspension on another. I prefer my full suspension over my hardtail for this trail. I picked my full because of all the close rolling hills and lots of downhill in the beginning. Only phase 1 of the trail is complete which is only 4.5 miles. The map at the site says that there will be a phase 2 & 3 that will take the trail to 12 miles total. Phase 2 dosen't start till this fall(2003). I have to say that the park staff and volunteers did an excellent job on phase 1. Now I'm looking forward to riding phase 2!

The new Itusi trail at lake norman is a very clean trail. Hardly any roots (because it is new), and it's an excellent singletrack ride. I rode a hardtail on one occasion and a full suspension on another. I prefer my full suspension over my hardtail for this trail. I picked my full because of all the close rolling hills and lots of downhill in the beginning. Only phase 1 of the trail is complete which is only 4.5 miles. The map at the site says that there will be a phase 2 & 3 that will take the trail to 12 miles total. Phase 2 dosen't start till this fall(2003). I have to say that the park staff and volunteers did an excellent job on phase 1. Now I'm looking forward to riding phase 2!